Brief Answer:
sad/low mood or lack of interest is essential symptom

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,

Thanks for writing to us.

Depression is very common psychiatric problem. Following are the symptoms of depression.

1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day,

2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of theday, nearly every day

3. Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight or decrease or increase in appetite

4. Insomnia – lack of sleep or hypersomnia- more sleep

5. Psychomotor agitation- irritability or retardation-remain withdrawn

6. Fatigue or loss of energy

7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt

8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness

9. Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation withouta specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning: at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational,or other important areas of functioning.

To confirm the diagnosis of depression detail history and mental status examination are required to be done in person by a psychiatrist.


Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,

Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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Brief Answer:
depression is treatable condition

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for follow up.

First of all you need to consult psychiatrist to just confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment of depression includes both medicines and psychotherapy.

In psychotherapy I prefer cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).In mild cases only CBT is sufficient. In moderate to severe cases initially medicines and then CBT is added. And later on medicines stopped gradually.


In medicines SSRI group of drugs (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram) are main stay of the treatment. There are other group of drugs as well with different mechanisms and excellent results.
Benzodiazepines group of drugs (clonazeapm, lorazepam or etizolam) are used initially for short duration for fast symptomatic relief.

You can stop medicines gradually after 100% recovery according to doctor's guidance.

If there is no stress,we should also check thyroid and vitamin B12 level as deficiency of the same can cause depression.

In my opinion you must consult psychiatrist without hesitation as soon as possible. Earlier the treatment starts better and faster the results.

Feel free to discuss further.

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Brief Answer:
I am in ahemdabad

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am from XXXXXXX In XXXXXXX NIMHANS is the apex institute of mental health in XXXXXXX You can consult there. Or there are lots of private psychiatrist in XXXXXXX you can find them in following link and consult any one of them near to you.

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/Psychiatrists-in-Bangalore/L18862S35

No need to undergo investigations right now. After consulting doctor personally, you may go for the same if doctor recommends.

If still any query there, I will be happy to answer. If not, you can close the discussion and give your feedback and rating so I can improve my service.

In future if you wish you can contact me directly with following link:
http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki

by clicking on 'Ask me a question' on same page with three follow up questions.

All the best and take care.

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